Steam-engine governor



(No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

L. W. ANDREWS. STEAM ENGINE GOVERNOR.

Patented Apr. 25

. L U & w r n 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model) L. W. ANDREWS.

' STEAM ENGINE GOVERNOR. No. 256,946. Patented Apr.25, 1882.

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UNITED STATES 4 PATENT OFFICE.

LEE YV. ANDRElV S, OF LIVE OAK, CALIFORNIA.

STEAM-ENGINE GOVERNOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 256,946, dated April 25, 1882.

Application filed December 19, 1881. (No model A To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEE W. ANDREWS, of Live Oak, county ot'Sutter, State ofOalifornia, have invented a Governor for Steam-Engines; and I hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description thereof.

My invention relates to an improved mechanism for governing the admission ofsteam, vapor, gas, or air under pressure to the cylinders of engines; and it consists of a two-part cylindrical valve,,constructed substantially as shown and described, reciprocating in a cylinder so as to alternately expose and cover ports which open through the sides of the cylinder. The two parts of the valve close against seats at the center, and are caused to close against these seats by springs acting against their outer ends. A rod which is caused to reciprocate by connection from the engine-shaft passes longitudinally through both parts of the valve, and another rod, which also passes through both parts of the valve, is connected with an oscillatingbalanoc-wheel having a coiled spring similar to that shown in my patent of September 20, 1881. The first rod has a collar fixed to it midway between the cross-bars which extend across each part of the valve, and pawls which are hinged to the inner sides of these crossbars engage this collar at each end, so that when the engine moves slowly the two parts of the valve move simultaneously, each moving the full stroke without cut-off. The second rod has two arms secured to it and projecting up beside the first so that their ends are just beneath the pawls before mentioned. When the engine runs faster than the oscillation of the balance-wheel these arms engage the pawls so as to lift them alternately clear of the collar, when the exterior springs will close each part of the valve as it is released, and thus cnt oft the supply of steam to the cylinder.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal section. Fig. 2 is a transverse section. Fig. 3 is a modification.

A is the engine-cylinder. B is the valvechamber, above or at one side of which is the cylinder 0, within which the two parts 1) D of the hollow cylindrical valve move. Each valve has a cross-bar, d, and the meeting ends of the valves are fitted to close against each other or against a seat, a, as shown, and prevent steam which is admitted in the direction of the arrow from entering the passages Gr, leading to the cylinder. The outerends ofthese valves are madelarger than the body, forming flanges b, which fit in enlarged parts of the cylinder, and when the valves are closed against their seats by the action of the springs E a quantity of air between each flange b and the shoulders c at the termination of the enlarged portions of the cylinder acts as a cushion to prevent the valve striking too forcibly upon its seat. The valves are moved by a rod, F, which enters the case through a stutfing-box, and is driven by levers and connections from the engineshaft. This rod passes loosely through the cross-bars d of the valves, and has a collar orenlargement, e, midway between the bars (I. Pawlsi are hinged to the inner sides of the bars, near thetop, so that their inner orfree ends will just fit against the ends of the collar 0, and thus cause the two parts of the valve to move simultaneously. This alternately opens and closes the passages G, by which steam is admitted to the steam-chest B.

In order to close the valves more rapidly,

and thus cut off the supply of steam, I employ a balance-wheel, H, having a coiled spring around it and connecting it with the side of the case like the balance-wheel of a watch. A conncctingrod, I, unites a crank-pin upon the wheel with a rod, J, which passes loosely through the bars djust below the rod F. This lower rod has two arms, K K, secured to it so as to project upward at each end of the collar 0 and a short distance from it, so that the reciprocation of the rod F causes the gpllar to strike the arms, and by this means the arm J operates the balance-wheel and makes it reciprocate. The upper ends of the arms K are beveled, and the pawls i have inclines formed upon their lower sides nearthe ends which engage the collar e, so that as the ends of the arms K pass beneath the pawls they raise them up clear of the collar 0, and this allows the springs E at the ends to act so that one valve being opened by the movement of the rod F, is kept open until the pawl ion that side is tripped by the arm K, when it is closed at once by its spring. Whenever the engine runs faster than the vibration of the balance-wheel it will be seen that the pawls will be tripped more quickly, because the rod F moves faster than the rod J, and the inclines upon the pawls '5 are more quickly brought into contact with the arms K, by which they are tripped so as to allow the valves to close.

Having thus described my invention, what 1 claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is a.

1. The valves D I), reciprocating within a case and caused to close against central seats by springs E, in combination with the valvestem F, having the central collar, 0, the hinged pawls i, acting against the ends of this collar, and the arms K, whereby the valves are alternatelyopened,substantiallyasherein described.

2. The valves D D, reci 'vrocating in a case and having the pawls'irestingagainst the ends of the collar 0 upon the reciprocating valvestem F, and spring E, in combination with the armsK, secured to the rod J, which is reciprocated by the action of the balance-wheel B, said arms tripping the pawls and allowing the valves to close, substantially as herein described.

3. The valves D D", reciprocated in a case, A, by the valve-stem F, and collar 6, pawls i, and springs E, and having the seats a, said valves having flanges b to inclose an air-cushion.

between themselves and the shoulder cot the cylinder, substantially as herein described.

4. In a overnor for engines, a releasing mechanism constructed substantially as shown and described, and adapted to be operated by the isochronal vibrations of the pendulum or balance-wheel H, substantially as herein described.

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand.

LEE W. ANDREWS.

Witnesses:

FRANK A. BROOKS, S. H. NOURSE. 

